Dalaman: General Information

Discover Dalaman: more than a resort

Dalaman is a city and district of the same name in Muğla Province, located on the southwestern coast of Turkey. Although for many tourists Dalaman is associated primarily with a major international airport, the city itself also has its own history and features.

Key Transport Hub

Dalaman's main role in the tourism industry is as a gateway to one of Turkey's most scenic regions. Dalaman International Airport (DLM) is one of three airports serving the southwestern coast, along with those in Antalya and Bodrum. It welcomes millions of tourists annually who are heading to popular resorts such as:

Marmaris
Fethiye
Ölüdeniz
Kaş and Kalkan
Göcek
Dalyan

The airport was built in 1976 and has expanded significantly since then. The new international terminal, opened in 2018, is modern and can handle up to 35 flights simultaneously.

The City of Dalaman

The city of Dalaman itself is a small, predominantly agricultural settlement. It is located a few kilometers north of the airport and the D400 coastal highway. Unlike the bustling resorts, life here flows at a more measured pace. The basis of the economy is agriculture and airport services.

Although Dalaman is not a tourist center, it offers authentic Turkish flavor, free from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism. Here you can find local cafes, shops and get acquainted with the everyday life of the Turkish province.

History

The territory of modern Dalaman has been inhabited since ancient times. In antiquity, an ancient city was located here, although its exact name and history are still the subject of research. During the Ottoman period, the region was known for its fertile lands.

Interesting fact: at the beginning of the 20th century, the Egyptian Khedive Abbas Hilmi II bought up vast lands here and planned to build a hunting lodge. By mistake, materials for the construction of a railway station from Alexandria were delivered here, and a monumental station building was built in Dalaman, although there was never a railway here. Today this building is used as a state agricultural complex.